Envelope-filling machine



May 1, 1923.

PPJ. wooLDR-mcaE ENVELOPE FILLING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 17 1918 INVENTOR.

WI TNESS:

A4; ATTORNEY.

P. J. WQOLDRIDGE NVELOPE FILLING MACHINE May 1, 1923 3 Sheets-Sh et 2 Filed Aug. 17, 1918 INVENTOR.

W I TNESS:

TZOR EY:

May1,1923. I 1,454,008

P. J. WOOLDRIDGE ENVELOPE FILLING MACHINE Filed Au 17, 1918 a Sheets-Shae; 5.

M ATTORNEY.

y "we on; i ii-u PGWHATAN J. WQOLDR-IDGE, OF OLDHAM COUNTY; KENTUCKY.

ENVELDPE-FILLING MACHINE.

ing in Uldhamfounty, Kentucky, have in-' vented certain new and useful Improve ments in Envelope-Filling Machines, fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying draw; ings; forming a part of the same. lhis invention relates to a 'machine for filling envelopes, more particularly with flat folded sheets of paper ()I'fillllllrli material, such as folded circulars or pamphlets. The invention aims to provide a machine of this kind whereby made envelopes having folded over closing flaps supplied to the machine in quantity Will he successively opened and presented in position to receive th folded circular or other filler, and whereby t ie fillers will be tech one by one, from a stack or column and inserted in the successively positioned open envelopes, the filled envelopes being then successively closed land delivered from the machine. The invention consists in various features of construction, arrangeinent and combinations of parts, all as hereinafter described and specifically pointed out in the claims.

A full understanding of the invention can best be given by a detail description of an organized machine embodying the various "features of the invention in the form which I now consider best in connection with drawings illustrating such a machine and such a description will now be given in connection'with the accompanying drawings, in WliiCl12-- Fig. l is a side view of the machine shown partly in section;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken "on line2-2 e-f'Fig. 1, {out on a larger scale than Fig.1;

F'g. 3 is a broken side View of parts of the apparatus taken looking from the left if-Fig. 2;

Fig.4. is a broken sectional vien taken on line Ell of Fig. 2 looking from the left;

Fig. 5 is aeertical longitudinal sectional View taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrao ing the position of the filler delivering and envelope opening devices after thepusher by which the fillers are delivered from the holder G has made part .of-ritsdelivery movement, and showing also, by dotted lines Application filed August 17, 1918. Serial No.

access.

the position of such devices at the end of the downward movement of the pusher;

l- 1g, 7 is an end view of the machine looln ing from the right of Fig. 1;

Fig. '8 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 8-8 ot Fig. 1, out on the scale of Figs. to 6 and "without any envelopes in the holder;

Fig. 9 is a view taken on line 9 9 of Fig. Y. but with parts omitted in order to show-illustrated parts more clearly;

Fig. 10 is a hrolrcn detail sectionalview taken on line 10 l0 of Fig. '2', but on a further enlarged scale;

F in". 11 is a detail view illustrating means for adjusting the position of a drag roller past which the fillers are advanced. from the filler holder; and

Fig. 12 is a detail view of the release catch which is operated to permit movement of atollower or feeding the opened en.- velopes.

In the machine shoivnftheenvelopes, a, to he tilled are fed successively from a holder A to a second holder D, t he'eiivelopes being opened, or having their closing-or sealing flaps turned upward, as they are. advanced from the holder A to the holder B. The open envelopes are then advanced through the holder B to he successively presented in position to reccive a filler. The fillers, Z), are successively fed from a holder and entered, one into each envelope, and the envelopes after receiving their fillers are successively moved from theirreceiving position and havetheir flaps turned over into closed position and are then delivered. from the machines In the machine SllOWiL and most. desirably, theholders A, B and G are ar'anged horizontally. the holder A being acapted for holding a horizontal stuck or column of unopened envelopes. the' holder B being adapted for holding a horizontally arranged stack or column of. opened envelopes, and the holder being: adapted for holding a horizontally arranged stack or column of the folded cirohla'rs orv other fillers. Y i

The holder A comprises an outer supporting member 10 having; bottom and side Walls and an .inner container or holder proper 11 also having bottom and side Walls,

Theinnermemher or holderproper 1.1 is of a Width between its side Walls just suflicient to receive and properly guide the said holder is intended, and is removable so that holders of ditlerent sizes may be used according to the size of the envelope to be filled. The outer member it) is made of such transverse dimensions as to receive the inner holder ll for the largest size envelopes the machine is intendcd'to handle. Both holder members 10 and ll are open. at their front or delivery ends and the inner member is, most desirably, open also at its rear end. The outer member might also be open at its rear end, but is. best provided with a rear wall, as shown in Fig. l. The inner holder member may be of the full length of the outer member, and any suitable means may be provided for lIOldHIg it in position both longitudinally and transversely of the outer member.

For feeding the column of envelopes gradually forward in the holder as the end envelopes are successively delivered from the holder, a follower 12 is provided which, as shown, is formed by a plate carried by arms 13 provided with rolls 14 to run on the upper edges of the sides of the outer holder member 10 and which extend downward outside the holder and are connected by cables or cords 15, one on each side of the holder, with spring driven winding drums or pulleys 16 fast on a shaft 17, the cables passing forward from the follower arms over guide pulleys l8 and 19 and thence back to the winding pulleys. A shaft 20 extends across the open delivery end of the holder and carries a feed roll 21 in position to engage the end envelope of the column of envelopes in the holder. This feed roll, which is constantly driven in the normal operations of the machine,-

has a soft rubberor other suitable friction surface and acts to move the successive end envelopes edgewise and, in the arrangement shown, downward from the delivery end of the holder A. v

Arranged immediately above the shaft 20 and feed roll 21, is a flap opening plate '22 which, as each envelope is fed edgewise downward by the delivery roll 21, enters beneath the closing flap of the envelope and acts to turn'the flap outward and upward as the envelope is fed downward. In conmotion with this flap opening plate 22, thereis provided means for causing a jet of air to strike against the envelope for the purpose of lifting the flap away from the flexible tubing 24 with any suitable source of compressed air and which have (1lS-1 charge outlet openings or nozzles 25 lo; rated at or ad a -ent he edge of the plate and near the bottom of the notch therein for directing jets of air against the 'edge of the envelope tlap. The plate 22 is best. pivotally supported at points 26 in a supporting frame 27 which extends upward-- on each side of the delivery end of the holder A, the plate depending from its points of pivotal supportand being pressed ightly inward by springs 28 which bear against pins or studs 29 extending outward from the side edges of the plate.

The holder B also comprises an outer or supporting member and an inner container or holder proper. The outenmember 30 of the holder B is formed with a bottom and one side. being open at the other side, that is, the side at the left in Fig. 2. The

inner member or holder proper 31 is similar to the inner member 11 of the holder A, having a bottom and sides and being v charge end of the holder A will enter the receiving end of the holder B.

of open envelopes as the holder B is being filled with. envelopes delivered from: the. holder A, a sliding abutment plate 35 is rovided carried by a sleeve 36 'mounte to" sl'de on a rod 37 which extends longitudinally of and at one side of the holder member 30. The neck of the. abutment plate 35 extends over the side wall of the holder member 31 an'd the plate extends downward into the holder in position to bear against the front envelope of the column oi open envelopes which is being formed and fed gradually forward in the holder l3. and the plate is cut away, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, so that when the holder is filled and the plate in its forward IIiOVlfl'ltYlt reaches the forward end of the holder. it may pass by and not interfere with other parts of the apparatus hereinafter descr bed. After the holder B has been filled with a column of envelopes and the i'noven-ient of the successively filled envclopes from the delivery end of the holder begins. the column of envelopes in the holder will he moved gradually forward to maintain the forward end ot'the column in posit on at the delivery end of the holder go the rear side of the e;- N re l ed. downward fromth'e A and while they are. still bemg "11rd, into the receiving end of the shall not he obstructed by the Yard pressure of the column of enin the holder. a reciprocating or tapping: dex'ice. is provided acts to eitemiately push forward l end of the eolunmof envelopes holder and then move backward 'iom the end of the column thus perore fieel v downward at the rear of of envelopes in the holder B in between the forward movepusher. hi the construction the reciprocating pusher 55 is below the feed 11911430 and is carpivoted arms 06 connected by a, link 0 move together so that the pusher shall parallel movement. The pusher is l by a cam mounted on 'a'shsft transversely across the fear end 2 h ,ldez behind the pusher, a spring tendrig: to draw the pushei backward cam working against the spring I the pusher a forward and back reis the forward and theh volumn. so that an envelope being fed low-:1: into the holder shall not meet with :my eontiii uing resistance sulch as might rentitsdoymwerd movement. I

no feed roll 50 mouned just above the pushor is positioned to engaqethe rear side of the envelopes as they are successively deiii red from the holder A in a Blane tl v in advance of the Blame in which the .emelope stands in the holder A, this to? the purpose of giving the feed roll a. stronger hearing; against and better feeding grip on the envelopes, This feed roll 50 has :1. higher surface speed than the roll 21 so that its "feeding speed shall be sntiicienti'y llli'ill to make up for any interem'elooes due to forward movement of the washer F5. The upper end of the engaging face of the pusher should he suitably bev= ed backward as shown to prevent any possmle blocking of the downward movement of the envelopes through their coming into moment with the upper edge of the pushnen it is in its forward position. hen she holder B is filled with envelopes M 01 when partly filled and-the column is being pushed forward by the follower 40, the front end of the column abuts against the suppozt the feed roll 5031ithe delivery roll 21. In feedingof the envelopes,

mow: backward away from the end of theru'ption of the downward movement of the Q7 envelo ties from the holder A, to he all. u

abutment plate and against a fixed abutment plate 60 (see Figs. 5 and 7) which extends downward in position to engage only the upper portion oi the u 'istai'iding closing flap of the end envelope. The column of envelopes in the holder should be pressed forward with sufficient force to maintain the end envelope at the front or discharge end o1 the holder in the desired position againstthe abutments 135 and 60, but it is de sirable to avoid too strong' a pressure on the column such as might result from continuous feeding of envelopes from the holder A down into the holder B at a faster rate than the envelopes are filled and delivered from the front end of the holder 13. Means are provided, therefore, for interrupting the feeding of envelopes from the holder A whenever the pressure on the column of en velopesin the holder B becomes 'greater than desired. 'F or this purpose, in the construction shown, the shaft 20 which carries the delivery feed roll 21 is driven through a magnetic clutch 61, the circuit of whiclris controlled by a contact piece at the -(l1S- charge end of the holder 13 which comprises a lever 62 connected in the clutch circuit and pivoted at 63 tothe bottom of the outer holder member 30. The lever normally makes contact with an insulated contact piece 64- which is also connected in the clutch circuit. The contact lever (32 is normally held in its circuit closing position, as

shown in Fig. 10. by means of a spring 65, and carries or bears against a. stud 66 which normally bears againstthe abutment plate 35 and holds the plate slightly back from an upstanding flange 67 at the end of the holder. When the pressure of the column of envelopes against the abutment plate 35 be comes great enough to overcome the pressure of the spring 65, the abutment plate forces the stud 66 forward slightly and thereby swings the contact lever 62 to move its end away from the contact 64, thereby opening the clutch circuit and stopping the operation of the delivery feed roll 21. A Delivery of envelopes from the holder A will thus be interrupted until the pressure of the column of envelopes in the holder B against the abutment plate is reduced sufiiciently to permit the spring to return the contact lever 62 to its circuit closing position, whereupon the feeding of envelopes from the holder A. to the holder B will attain proceed.

The feed rolls 21 and 50 and cam 59 may be driven in any suitable manner. As shown, the driving member of the magnetic clutch 61 through which the shaft 20 of the feed roll 21 receives its motion. is driven from a main shaft 70 through a connecting shaft 71 which carries at its ends bevelled gears, the gear on one end 111(Slllll;1 with a bevelled gear on the shaft 70, andthe gear on the other end meshing, with a. bevelled fed forward by a follower 83 gear 72 on the driving member of the clutch 6].. The shaft 51 winch carries the feed roll 50 and-the shaft of the earn are driven 'from the shaft 20 by means of a shaft 73 wvhich the feed roll 21 is driven. and being timed to give the feed roll. 50 a higher surface speed than the feed roll 21, as al ready explained. As the feed roll 50 and the cam 58 are driven from the shaft of the feed roll 21, they will operate only when the feed roll 21 is in operation.

The 'holder C is arranged parallel with I and above the holder B with its front or delivery end in vertical alinement with the front end of the holder B, and like the hold ers A. and B it comprises, in the most desirable torm and as illustrated, an outer or supporting member and an inner member or holder proper. T he outer member 80 base bottom wall, one side wall and a top wall, and open along one side. The front or delivery end of the holder member 80 is'open except for abutment plates hereinafter referred to, and its rear The inner member 81, or holder proper, is most desirably made with merely a bottom plate and one side plate. member 80 is of sullicient size for the largest tillers which the machine is intended to handle, and the member 81 is made removable so that such members of proper size according to the particular fillers to be handled may be inserted. Any suitable means may be provided for securing the member 81 in position within the member 80. I prefer, however, to extend the bottom of the member at its open side and bend it downward and backward. to provide a channel to reend may also be open.

The supporting extending through the bent-over flange and into thebottom plate of the member 80 serve to hold the inner member securely in position.

'lhc folded circulars or other fillers, which 7 are placed in the holder from the side, are I formed by a plate carried by arms 84: and 85. The upper arm 84 extends over the top of the supper"- ing member 80 and carries a roller 86 which runs in a track 87 on the top of the member 80 as shown in Fig. 8. The lower arm 85 extends outward and then inward about the bottom plates of the members 80 and 81 and is provided with a grooved roller 88 which bears against the turned over edge of the bottom plate of the holder 81. The ends oi: the arms 84 and 85 are connected by cables ily lifted out from the sideoi": the holder so to be moved back and placed behind additional fillers in the holder.

A rod 95 carried by swinging arms96 depending from the upper wall of the outer holder member 80 extends longitudinally of the holder in -position to bear against the outer edge of the colun'rn of fillers in. the holder,-the rod having aslight tendency to move inward, 97, to bear against the outer edges of the fillers and link the same in positionas they are advanced through the holder without bearing thereon so strongly as to interfere 7 lower 83.

The fillers are delivered downward successively from the front or .delivery end of the holder C and into the envelopes successively positioned at the delivery end of the holder by means of a vertically reciproeating pusher 100. The pusher 100 is car ried by a erosshead 101 mounted to slide in ways'formed by channelled side bars 102 ex tending vertically up ard from the end of the holder C. the lower ends of the side bars being mounted just in advance of the posi tion taken by the forward end of a column of fillers in the holder. The crosshead 101 is formed in the'construction shown by a shaft provided with slide blocks extending into the channels of the side bars 102. The pusher 100 is mounted to have a slight forward and back swinging movement on the 220 struetion shown. a downwardly extending part or plate 103 and .2 forked lower end formed by lot vlly spaced. engaging mem bers 104 extendmgdownward from the end of the plate. 3. strip o'r'sheet metal or other suitable mate rial bent to provide at downwardlv extending rear plate and shorter down.- wurdly er siding front plate spaced apart sutliciently to ret'eive the upper portion of a between them. The erosshead shaft .101 is reciprocated vertically to give the pusher its fill-er delivering and return 1novemerits by means of a cam-operated rod 105 which la pivotally mounted at one end on a rod or shaft 100 and has its other end connected a linl: 107 with the crosshead shaft 101. and which is o :erated by cam 108 on the shaft 70. Theweight of the pusher, her 1 and. open .ng rod 105 tend to t with the cam and downward when a spring 109 tendwnwsrd is also de- Tbe driving shaft and as under tension of a'spring with their being fed forward by the fol- I below the end of'the-arm crosshead shaft, and comprises in the con-' Each member 10 is formed of.

the shaft 109 are shown as carried by an up wardly extendingframe formed by uprights 110 and llland parts carried by such up rights. I

Springs 115 tend to swing the pusher backward from the position shown in Fig. 5, such backwardmovement being limited by stops 116 and by a flange or platell'? extending downward from the front edge of the upper wall of the holder member 80. When the pusher and crosshead are in their uppermost-position as shown in Figs. 5 and 7, the. pusher is held in the forward position shown in Fig. 5 by means of an arm 120 which extends downward in position to engage a lug 121 on the pusher when the pusher is at and near its uppermost position. lVhen' the pusherhas been moved downward a short distance from the position shown in Figs. 5 and 7, the lug 121 passes 120 and the pusher is then permittedto swing underthe in-' fluence of its-springs 115 rearwardly against the flange 117. n the upper or return movement of the pusher, the lug 121 again comes into engagement with the arm 120 and the pusher is givena slight forward swing just before it reaches the end of its upward ,movement. 1 y The forwardmovement of the column of fillers in the holder C is limited by a pair of side abutment plates which are' spaced apart sufiiciently to leave room for the pusher to pass between them in its downward movement. Extending across the end. of the holder is a shaft 126 which is driven to make one revolution for eaoh complete reciprocation of the crosshead' and pusher. As'shown, this shaft is driven from the shaft TOthrough a shaft 127- which car-. ries at one end a bevelled gear meshing with a gear 128 on the shaft 70, and at the other end a, bevelled gear meshing with a similar gear 120 on the shaft'l26. The shaft 126 carries a friction piece 130 which at each revolution of the shaft engages the end filler in theholder L and nioves'it a short distance edgewise downward; the friction piece then. moving out of engagement with the filler, leaving theseme to be given its further downward movement by the pusher 100. The abutment plates 1'25"are positioned with relation to the end of the holder so as to leave a delivery slot between the plates and the bottom plate of the h'older,. as shown in Fig 5 of sufiicien't width to permit one filler to pass downward therethrough. W'hen this slot is of proper width only a single lillerwill be started downward from the holder C bythe action of the trio tion piece 130, except possibly in thecese.

of very thin. fillers. In order to prevent. further downward movement of asecond tiller which mi ht be startecl'with the end filler, friction means may be provided in cated to engage, closely adjacent to the bot tom of the holder, a second filler which may have been started downward. For this purpose there is provided in the construction shown a shaft located beneath the front end of the bottom of the holder C and provided with dra surface 0 softrubber or other suitable material and which extend'ethrough openings in the abutment plate 60.1 The shaft carrying these drag rolls is mounted in friction bearings 132, see detail Fig. 11. which are adjustable bymeans of adjusting screws" 133 to advance the rollers 131 more or less beyond the forward face of the abutment plate 60. The abutment plates 125 extend downward to rovide a support to cooperate with the rol s 131.

As the endenvelope of the column of envelopes in the holder B stands in receiving position atthforward end of the holder. its upstanding flap extends upward behind the downwardly extending abutment plate so that when a filler is moved downward between the plate 60 and the plates 125 it will pass in front'of the flap of the envelope, into which it is to be fed. In order to open out the body of the envelope and insure the filler entering therein, opening means are provided comprising a plate 140 which ishung from slide blocks 141 mounted to have vertical movement in the lower ends of the side bars 102. The blocks 141 rest on cams 142 on the shaft 126 by which they are given a slight downward and return movement at each rotation of the shaft. l or insuring the downward movement of the:

late, springs 143 are provided bearing downwardly on the blocks 1&1 to hold them always in contact with the cams. The lower end of the opening plate l-lO is made thin and suitably shaped to readily enter the 4 body of the envelope, and most desirably its sition, as shown in Figs: 5 and 7. the opening plate is snpported by the cams .llg so that its loweror entering: edge shallstand just above the upper edge of the closing side of the body of the enveloperas shown in Figs. 5 and 7. and the plate is lightly pressed inward against the end envelope of the column stamling; in the holder ll. as by means of a spring 144. At each downward movement of the pusher 100. before a filler .has been moved downward by the pusher sufficiently to bring its lower edge down to rollers 131 having -a frictionea-eons the body of the envelope, the opening plate is by movement of the cam 1&2 permitted to move downward sniiiciently to cause its lower edge to enter the body of the envelope. After a filler has been delivered into the envelope. the opening plate is withdrawn and is given a slight forward swinging movement to the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. to avoid interference with the edgewise delivery of the filled envelope from the holder as hereinafter described; This outward movement of the opening plate is in the construction shown givengto it by cams 145, see Figs. 5, 6 and 7.

To-insure the entrance of the lower edge of the opening plate into the envelope, means for directing a jet or jets of air against the edge of the closing side of the envelope is desirably provided, the opening plate being in the construction shown provided for this purpose with an air con-. dint 146 connected by a flexible tube 14? with any suitable source of compressed air.

such air conduit having discharge orifices or nozzles 1 18 located near the center of the entering edge of the plate and arrang' ed to discharge air jets downward and slightlv outward against the edge of the closing side of the envelope.

The operation of feeding a filler downward from the holder and delivering it into an envelope standing in the holder B by the devices which have been described is briefly as follows:--."\s shown in Figs. 5 and 7. the pusher 100 is in its uppermost position and about to start on its downward or delivery movement, and the rotary friction device 130 is about'to give a preliminary downward movemcntto the end filler in the holder C. Rotationoi the shaft 126 and device 130 from the position shown in 6 then moves the end filler in the holder downward a short distance, as to the position shown in Fig. 6. Meanwhile. the pusher 100 has started on its downward movement. and after its lower end has been moved below the upper edge of the column of fillers in the holder, the lug 121 having been carried below the end of the arm 120. the pusher swings backward to bring the lower end of the rear plates of its engaging members against the second'filler in the holder as shown by full lines in Fig. 6. so that by continued downwand movement of the pusher in this rearward position the rear plates of the engaging members of the pusher. then hearing against the second filler in the holder. will pass behind the upper edge of the first tiller which has been started downward by the friction device 130. the front plates of managing members of the pusher passing in front of the filler. the first part of the downward movement or During;

to be understood of course that the supsion, filling means, and at lillers in the holder C and of envelopes in the holder A may he replenished as requiredfor maintaining "the machine in continuous operation by simply supplying additional fillers to the holder and envelopes to the holder A and shifting the respective followers to the rear end of the replenished columns, the operation of the machine may'continuc until the supply of envelopes in the holder or of fillers in the older C is exhausted The term envelope as used in the claims is to be understood in its ordinary sense as meaning a flat container of sheet material closed at three edges and provided at its fourthedge with a turn-over closing flap which turns down against the closing or sealing side of the container, although not necessarily meaning an envelope of the exact form and construction shown in the drawings.

lit is to be understood that the invention. is not to be limited tothe exact construction, arrangement and combinations of parts shown in the drawings and to which the loregoing description has been largely confined, but that it includes changes and modifications thereof within the claims, and that cer-- tain features of the invention as claimed may be employed independentlyof other features thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. An envelope filling machine, comprisinc; incomhination flap opening means for operating on a series of envelopes in succes- "eedway in which the envelopes are deposited from the flap opening means and in which the opened envelopes are accumulated in. a column as ranged fiatwise together and through which the column of opened envelopes is advanced to the filling means. 1

2. An envelope filling machine, compris ing in combination a holder for receivinga column of envelopes arran ed flatwise tonether, flap opening means tror operating on a series oi? envelopes in succession to turn their closing {laps into open position and for depositing the opened envelopes successively in one end of said holder. envelope filling means for filling the envelopes they suc ccssivel and means for delivering the filled envelopes from the holder,

in. envelope filling machine, comprisinc; in combination a holder for receiving; a column oi? envelopes arranged llatvvise tonether, opening; means for operating on a series of envelopes in succession to turn their closing in; into open POSiLiOIl 2nd for ill loo es sch the other end of said holder,

ing in combination a holder for receiving a column of envelopes arranged fiatwise together, flap opening means for operating on a series of envelopes 1n succession to turn their closing flaps into open position and for depositing the opened envelopes successively in one end or said holder, envelope filling means for filling the envelopes as they successively reach the other end. of said holder, a feedway extending laterally from said holder, means for delivering-the filled envelopes edgewise from the holder through said feedway. and a flap turner for turning the flaps of the envelopes back intoclosing position as they are delivered through the feedw'ay.

An envelope fillings machine, comprising, in combination a holder, means for "feeding a column of envelopes arranged fiatwise together through said holder, a second holder, means for delivering the envelopes successively from the first holder to the second holder, flap opening means for turning the flaps of the envelopes toopen position as they are delivered from the first holder to the-second holder, envelope filling means for filling the envelopes as they are successively presented in filling position. at the delivery end ol the second holder, and means for delivering the filled envelopes.

6. An envelope filling" machine, comprising-in combination a holder, meansfor advancing a column of envelopes arranged flatwise together in said holder, a second holder, means for delivering the envelopes successively iron the first holder to the second holder, {lap opening means for turning the flaps oi the envelopes to open position as they are delivered from the first holder to the second holder, envelope filling means for filling the envelopes as they are successively prose ted in filling position at the delivery end the second. holder, means for delivthe filled envelopes, said delivery whereby the envelopes are delivered from the first holder into the second holder operating to deliver the envelopes into the "cooled-holder at rate faster than the rate which they are filled and delivered from the second holder, and means controlled according to the pressure of the envelopes at the delivery end or the second holder :tor interrupting the operation of said delivery means. l

'2'. An envelope filling machine, comprising in ('IOmbiR utlOh a holder, means "for advancing column of envelopes arranged flatvvise together in said holder, a second holder, means for delivering the envelopes succes- '.'ely from the first holder to the second turning llllll flaps of the envelopes to open position as they are delivered from the first holder to the second holder; envelope tillin; means located at the delivery end of the second holder, and means controlled according to the pressure of the envelopes at the delivery end of the second holder for controlling the feeding of the envelopes from the first holder into the second holder. 4 I

8. An envelope filling machine, comprising in combination with filling means, 'a holder through which a column of envelopes arranged tlatvvise together is advanced to the filling means, means for feeding envelopes successively into the receiving end of the. holder with their flaps standing in open position, and means controlled according to the pressure of the envelopes at the delivery end of the holder for controlling the feeding of the envelopes into the receiving end of the holder.

9. An envelope filling machine, comprising in combination a holder, means for ad-' vancing a oolumn'of envelopes arranged flatwise together in said holder, a second holder, means for delivering the envelopes successively from the first holder to the second holder, flap opening means for turning the flaps of the envelopes to open position as they are delivered from the first holder to the second holder, :1 moving abutment in the second holder against which the end of the column of envelopes therein is advanced during the time the second holder 's being filled. and envelope filling means-located at the delivery end of the second holder.

10. An envelope filling machine, comprising in combination a holder, means for advancing a column of envelopes arranged flativise together in said holder. :1 second holder, means for delivering the'envelopes succesively from the first holder to the second holder. flap opening means for turning the flaps of the cnvelopes to open position as they are delivered from the first holder to the secondholder, a moving abutment in the second holder against which the end of the column of envelopes therein is advanced during the time/the second holder is being filled, envelope filling means located at the delivery end of the second holder, and a follower for advancing the column of en velopes in the second holder after the delivery of envelopes from the first holder has ceased.

11. An envelope filling machine, compristing in combination a holder, means for advancing a column of envelopes arranged'flat- Wise together in said holder, a second holder, means for delivering the envelopes successively from the first; holder to the second holder, flap opening means for turning the of the envelopes to open position as they are delivered from the first holder to the second holder, a moving abutment in the second holder against which the end of the column of envelopes therein 18 advanced during the time the second holder is being filled. a follower for advancing the'column of envelopes in the second holder, and means for bringing the follower automatically into operation when all the envelopes have been fed from the first holder,

12.-An envelope filling machine. comprising in combination a holder, meansfor advancmg'a column of envelopes arranged flat- \vise together in said holder. a second holder,

means for delivering the envelopes successively edgcwise from the first holder to the second holder, flap opening means for turning the flaps of the envelopes to open position as the Y are delivered from the first" holder to t e second holder, filling means located at the delivery. end of the second holder, a follower for advancing the column of envelopes in the second holder, means tending to give said follower its feeding movement, restraining means for holding the follower in position to the rear of the plane in which the envelopes are fed ,into the second holder, and means for operating said =restra1nmg means to release the follower when the last envelope has been fed from the first holder.

13". An envelope filling machine, comprising incombination a holder, means for advancing a column of envelopes arranged flatwlse together in sald holder, 2. second holder,-

means for delivering the envelopessucces- 3 sively edgewise from the first holder into the second holder, filling means located at the delivery end of the second holder, a reciprocating pushermounted at the receiving endof the second 'holder in position to act against the rear end of the column of envelopes therein, a follower for-advancing the column of envelopes in the second holder, i

and means for bringing the follower automatically-into operation when the last en'- velope has been fed from the first holder.

14;. An envelope filling machine, comprising in combination a holder. means'for adfvancmg a column of envelopes arranged ,fiatwise together in said holder, 9. second 1 holder, means for delivering the env'q'lo es successively edgewise from the first 11,01 or to the second holder, and a reciprocating pusher mounted at the receiving end of the. second holder in position to act against the envelopes in the.

holder, means comprising a friction feed roll for delivering the envelopes s'ucoessively edgewise from the firstholder to. the second holder, and a reciprocating pusher mounted atthe receiving end of the second holder in position to act against the rearend of the column of envelopes in the second holder.

16. The combination with a holder and means for advancing a column of envelopes arranged flatwise together in said holder, of means for feeding the envelopes successively edgewise from the delivery end of the holder, and means for turning the flaps of the envelopes to open positon as they are delivered from the holder comprising means for directing an air jet against the flap side of the envelope.

17. The combination with a holder and means for advancing a columnof envelopesarranged flatwise together in said holder, of means for feeding the envelopes successively edgewise from the delivery end of the holder, and means for turning the flaps of the envelopes to open position as they are delivered from the holder comprising a fiap opener past which the enevolopes make their deliver-v movement and means for direct inga fiap lifting jet of airagainst the envelope;

18. The comhinaion with a holder and means for advancing a column of envelopes arranged llatwise together in said holder, of means for feeding the envelopes successivelv edgewise from the delivery end of the holder, a fiap opening member extending across the-delivery end of the holder in position to enter'beneath the flap of each en velope as the envelope is delivered from the holder, and means for directing a flu p lifting jet of air against the envelope.

19. The combination with a holder and means for advancing a column of envelopes arranged fiatwise together in said holder. of means for feeding the envelopes succes ively edgewise from the delivery end of the holder. and a flap opening plate 22 extend- !ing across the delivery end of the holder:

said plate having a V-shaped edge and being provided with an air conduit and air outlet openings located to direct flap lifting jets of air against the envelopes.

20. In an envelope filling machine, the combination with aholder and means for advancing a: column of envelopes in the holder arranged llfit'WlSB together and with their flaps standing in open position, 03 body opening means for opening the successive end envelopes in the holder. means for filling each envelope after it has been opened, and separate means for delivering the filled envelopes "from the holder.

21. The combination with means for presenting envelopes successively in position to be fil1ed, with their fiaps standing in open position. and means for filling the successively positioned envelopes. of means for opening the envelopes comprising a memher operated to enter the envelope, andt means for directing a jet of air against the envelope to insure the entrance of said member therein.

The combination with means for presentmg envelopes successively in position to be filled with their flaps standing -in open position, and means for filling the succes sively positioned envelopes, of means for opening the envelopes comprising a flat opening member operated to enter the envelope and provided with an air passage and discharge orifice for" directing an opening jet of air against thd envelope to insure the entrance of the member into the envelope.

23. The combination with means for presenting envelopes successively in position to loe filled with their flaps standing in open position. and means for feeding fillers edge-' wise into the successively positioned envelopes, of means for opening the envelopes comprising a flat edgewise reciprocating openingmember mounted to yield fiatwi'se while within the envelope under the pr'essure of an entering filler.

24. The combination with means for p're senting envelopes successively in position to be filled with their flaps standing in open position, and means for filling the successively positioned envelopes, of means for opening the bodies of the envelopes comprising a fiat edgevvise reciprocatingopcaing member means for delivering the filled enenvelopes edgewise. and means for moving the opening member flatwise away from the envelope after it hasbeen withdrawn therefrom.

25. An envelope filling machine, comprising in combination an envelope holder, means for advancing a column of envelopes in said holder arranged fiatwise together and with their flaps standing in open position, a filler holder adjacent to the envelope holder, means for advancing a column of fillers through the filler holder arranged fiatwi-se together, means for delivering the successive end fillers from the filler holder edgewise into the successive end envelopes standing 1n the end of the envelope holder, and means for delivering the successively filled envelopes.

'26. An envelope filling machine, comprising in combination an envelope holder and means for advancing a column of em'elopes inn'in combination means for presenting envelopes successively in position to be filled, a filler holder, means for advancing a column of fillers arranged tiatwise together in said holder. means for giving the successive end fillers in the holder a preliminary edgevvise delivery movement, and a reciprocating plunger for engaging the successive end fillers after they have been given such preliminary edgewisc movement and delivering them from the holder and into'the successively positioned envelopes.

28. An envelope filling machi'ne, comprising in combiiiation an envelope holder, means t'or advancing a column of envelopes in the holder arranged fiatwise together and with their flaps standing in open position, means for serving as an abutment for limiting the movement of the column of envelopes, an abutment plate for engaging the upstanding flap of the end envelope in the holder, means for feeding a succession of flat fillers edgewise past said abutment plate and into thesuccessive end envelopes in the holder, and means for deliverin the filled envelo es ed ewise from engaged by the pusher. and means for moving the pusher backward into engagement with the second filler in the lllder after the first fille-i' has been given its preliminary movement and before the pusher in its delivery movement comes into engagement with the first filler. 1

30. An envelope filling machine, comprising in combination an envelope holder, means for advancing a column of envelopes in said holder arranged flatwise together and with their flaps standing in open position. a

filler holder adjacent the'envelope holder. means for advancing a column of tillers arrangedflatwise together in the tiller holder. guideways extending transversely to the end of the holders, a crosshead mounted to slide in said gtiideways. a pusher carried by said crosshead, means-for reciprocating the cross; head to cause the pusher to deliver the end fillers successively from the filler holder and into the successive end envelopes in the envelope holder, means for engaging the surface of the end filler in the holder to give it a preliminary edgewise movement in the direction of its delivery movement by the pusher, means for giving the pusher a slightrearward movement against the second filler in the holder before it comes into engagement with. the end filler on its downward movement. and means for opening the suocessive end envelopes in the'envelope holder prior to the delivery of a filler thereinto.

31. An envelope filling machine. comprising' in combination a holder. means for advancing a column of envelopes arranged flatvvise together in the holder, an abutment against which the successive end envelopes in the holder are positioned, filling means for filling the successively positioned end envelopes, and means for delivering the filled envelopes edgewise from the holder comprisinga friction feed roll and meansfor moving said roll into engagement with the successive filled-envelopes. v

The combination with a supporting structure, of a removable holder for holding a column of articles arranged flatwise together mounted on said supporting structure, and a followermounted on the supporting structure to-extend into the holder to advance the column of articles'therein, the, holder being of a size to fit the articles and the supporting structure being formed to support holders of various sizes. 7

' The combination with means for presenting an envelope in position to be filled with its flap standing in open position, of a body opener. means for movingsaid opener into the envelope between its front side and its back side, a pusher adapted to engage the rear edge of a filler and push the filler into the envelope between the body opener and the back side of the envelope, and means for withdrawing the body opener from the inn" the body opener after-the envelope has been filled.

35. The combination with means for presentinn an envelope in position to be filled with its flap standing in open position. of a body opener, means for moving said body opener into the envelope, a pusher adapted to engage the rear edge of a filler and push the tiller into the envelope while the body opener is within the envelope, and means for withdrawing the body opener after the envelopehasbeen filled.

36. The combination with means for presenting an envelope in posit-ion to be filled with its flap standing in open position, of a body opener, means for moving saicl body opener into the envelope to open it, a pusher adapted to engage filler and push the filler into the envelope While the body opener is within the envelope, means fol Withdrawing the body opener, after the envelope has been filled, to such it position that it engages the rear edge of the filler, and means for with drawing the pusher from the envelope While the filler is retained in the envelope by engagement with the body opener.

37. The combination with a receptacle weeoe of the articles at deliveryeno; of the holder to interrupt the actionol. said. means for feeding articles into thei'eeepteole WllGl'l this pressure exceeds predetermined amount.

In testimony whereof I have liiereunte set my hand in the presence of two subscribing WliZRCSS&

DAVID 0' Lewis,

A L. KENT.

'cles er- I 

